Abort, Abort :{))
We have two girls aboard who are homeschooled. In Loco Parentis, we are
charged with giving them at least one new concept every day.
So, in prep for some of the input I'd received WRT the Honda generator, and
pursuing my unwillingness to give up so easily, I set to additional
troubleshooting today before calling any of the leads I'd developed for
service.
I called the girls out and gave them a seminar on internal combustion
engines, including troubleshooting. We checked the oil (full), so if there
were an interrupt it would have been the oil level sensor. While I'd
determined how to bypass it, I wanted to isolate the problem, so I didn't
address that directly.
As the only thing which prevents an IC (internal combustion) engine from
running is ignition, fuel or air, I started at the top (literally) and
pulled the spark plug, having discovered the correct gap in the manual
(always, I RTFM [read the freakin' manual!] when I'm stymied; usually I do
it first, but the spark plug had looked great, so I didn't start there in my
first explorations). It was within tolerance, but at the wide end, so I
showed them how to read and gap it to the short end, and how to reinstall it
with the proper level of torque.
Still no joy. On to the second: I disconnected the fuel line at the
carburetor (they learned about fuel injection and carbs in the introduction)
and was rewarded with a steady flow. Put it back on and tried to drain the
carburetor. No joy in getting the screw to move, so I couldn't prove that
there was fuel there. Also, while I'd spritzed it repeatedly with WD40,
trying to get ignition in my earlier attempts, I theorized that it wasn't
volatile enough, and had been wrestling with how to get gasoline into the
opening.
I settled on a paper towel, held under the fuel line while I pulled it off.
Saturated, I wadded it up and stuck it into the opening with the choke
opened, and pulled the starter.
It ran :{)) - and I let it run for a bit, presuming it was getting its fuel
from the towel, but also, fully choked by virtue of the paper towel, may
have been pulling fuel through the carb. So, I stopped it after a bit, and
extracted all the little bits of paper towel stuck to the choke plate,
choked it, and started it again.
Still running, I ran it rich for a time, and turned off the eco-switch,
which when on forces it to run full throttle all the time. Still runs.
JOY!
Switched the eco back on and it purred like a kitten. I presume it was the
same sort of problem I'd met in both the outboards, which weren't very happy
starting initially, either - crummy Bahamas fuel, which had been in each.
So, the lesson also included information about varnish formation, and the
importance of adding fuel stabilizer if the engine is going to be left for
some time. Of course, our initial expectation had been that we'd be there
for a very brief time, so I hadn't done that. Lesson for me, too, and,
likely, being in teaching mode helped me more efficiently arrive at the
solution, so it was very helpful to have been put in the position of teacher
for the girls...
Lesson ended, I shut it down, buttoned up the various things like the filter
housing (I'd taken it off to get to the carburetor), spark plug cover and
main housing access), moved it over to the shore power input, and, as I
type, the Xantrex inverter charger is putting 70 amps continuously into the
system.
Now, on to sourcing another 15HP impeller, as long as we're stuck here for a
bit, it being afternoon already, and my wanting to have fully charged (and
also equalized, which I'll do after it's all the way up) batteries.
So, thanks to all respondents public and private. I really like the Honda
eu2000i, despite my own stupid pet tricks (not stabilizing the fuel is my
expectation on the problem but adjusting the spark plug no doubt helps)
causing the problem in the first place. The more I cruise, the more I find
that's usually the reason for some problem (my stupid pet tricks) :{/)
L8R
Skip and crew, relieved
--
Morgan 461 #2
SV Flying Pig KI4MPC
See our galleries at
www.justpickone.org/skip/gallery !
Follow us at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheFlyingPigLog
and/or
http://groups.google.com/group/flyingpiglog
"You are never given a wish without also being given the power to
make it come true. You may have to work for it however."
(and)
"There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in
its hand
(Richard Bach)
"Flying Pig" wrote in message
...
Well, as always, in cruising, stuff happens. This time it's the Honda
eu2000i genset, which we'll have to get to a service shop, my having
exhausted my troubleshooting and spare parts abilities.
We're anchored off the City Marina north of the Lions (currently in
storage for those in the know about the bridge); is there anyone reading
who might be willing to run us to whomever we find who can work on it?
Yes, of course, we can taxi - but we'd rather make the acquaintance of
another cruiser and avoid the cost/inconvenience if it works out.
Respond to or 770-887-0397; we have a killer
connection here, allowing our vonage phones and other internet
capabilities.
Thanks.
L8R
Skip
PS Thanks to all the prior respondents WRT channel and anchorage and
dinghy docking. Uneventful entry and anchoring, we have used the marina
dinghy dock and enjoyed the showers :{))
--
Morgan 461 #2
SV Flying Pig KI4MPC
See our galleries at www.justpickone.org/skip/gallery !
Follow us at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheFlyingPigLog
and/or http://groups.google.com/group/flyingpiglog
"You are never given a wish without also being given the power to
make it come true. You may have to work for it however."
(and)
"There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in
its hand
(Richard Bach)